CHICAGO — Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis has plans to equip the department’s officers with M4 carbines to match the firepower of the street gangs they have to face to stop the wave of shootings in the city.

Weis’ decision to arm and train his 13,500 officers with more powerful weapons was disclosed Friday.

Chicago Police SWAT teams are already equipped with M4 carbines, but rank-and-file officers are currently only allowed to carry handguns.

The M4 is a short assault rifle used by the Marine Corps, and it fires more shots in less time than most handguns. The fully automatic version can fire up to 1,000 rounds a minute, although the magazines only hold from 20 to 30 shots.

Chicago police spokeswoman Antoinette Ursitti had no further details about the plan Saturday.